Written Answers Nos. 374-394
374. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent by his Department on media advertising from March 2011 to February 2016, inclusive, outlining the media organisation, newspaper, radio, television or any other forms of media to which advertisement fees were paid by his Department; and the amount of money paid per year to each individual media organisation in tabular form. [12885/16]
View answerThe information sought in the question is not routinely collated in my Department. The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
375. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the input, role or interaction he has had with State agencies and Departments in regard to resolving the homeless crisis, assisting homeless persons and assisting with proposals and funding to ensure an adequate supply of social housing is available to qualified applicants for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/16]
View answerIn the short time I have been in office, I have met with a number of Government colleagues, elected representatives, local authority Chief Executives, non-Governmental organisations and voluntary service providers to discuss, among other things, the issues and current challenges surrounding homelessness.
A significant number of measures are being taken to address homelessness. These measures are identified in the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness. The implementation of measures identified in these Plans is co-ordinated by my Department and is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned. This group which is chaired by my Department includes the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Health; the Department of Children and Youth Affairs the Health Service Executive; Tusla (the Child and Family Agency); the Irish Prison Service; and local authorities. The Plans and quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the measures therein are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/homelessness/policy/homelessness.
The long-term solution to the challenge of homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. With regard to the supply of social housing, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 provides for clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list with flexibility to meet future demand. In total, 110,000 new social housing units are targeted for delivery with 35,000 new units to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies, and 75,000 households to be supported mainly through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 can be found on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_strategy_document_20141126.pdf
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 and associated funding of €1.7 billion under budgets 2015 and 2016 provided for the delivery of 13,000 social housing units in 2015, under a range of programmes, by local authorities and approved housing bodies. This represents an increase of 86% on the circa 7000 units delivered in 2014. The target for 2016 is again ambitious at 17,000 units.
376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of his Department in regard to a proposal (details supplied); if contracts have been signed; his proposals to consult with the local community; the guidelines his Department is now working to regarding social mix in new developments; if these guidelines vary according to the size of the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/16]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have a key role to play in the provision of high quality sustainable social housing and this is recognised in the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. In this way, the Strategy recognises the record of steady achievement by AHBs over the past 20 years in providing in excess of 28,000 units of quality accommodation.
Under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), my Department, together with local authorities, can support AHBs to construct, purchase or lease housing units and make them available for social housing. The housing units are secured under long-term leases/ availability arrangements between local authorities and AHBs.
In addition, capital support is made available to AHBs through the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), which provides an up-front capital payment of up to 30% of the relevant construction or acquisition cost of a project, facilitating AHBs in raising private finance, including from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), to acquire or build new social housing units. The capital advance is repayable by the AHB to the local authority at the end of a payment and availability agreement, usually 30 years. All proposals for CALF are submitted to my Department by AHBs for review and to ensure that the project complies with the terms of the CALF and that there are sufficient funds available. The local authority is also required to examine the proposal and report to my Department that it is suitable to meet housing need in the local area; that the properties comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements; and that the objectives of sustainable communities are being met (for example, that there is not already an over-concentration of social housing in the area). A detailed independent financial appraisal of the proposal is then conducted by the Housing Agency on my Department’s behalf, including a review of the acquisition or construction costs and details relating to the market rents and availability payments sought by the AHB, in order to ensure that the project is sustainable in the long-term and represents value for money.
Subject to my Department’s approval to the proposal, the local authority then enters into a Capital Advance Agreement (CAA) and a payment and availability agreement with the AHB concerned whereby the properties in question are provided for social housing support purposes for a specified period between 10 and 30 years. Monies paid by the local authority to the AHB for these units are recouped to the local authority from my Department.
The project specifically referred to in the Question involves the acquisition of units by an AHB in a new residential development. The project was assessed by my Department and the relevant local authorities, including from the sustainable communities point of view. While the relevant AHB has received approval for CALF assistance, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the scheme, it is my understanding that the AHB is continuing pre-contract negotiations with the developer and is proceeding with due diligence. The units, if secured, would provide secure high quality social housing for approximately 42 households, including many families, in an area of significant social housing demand.
377. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on waiting lists for the housing adaptation scheme, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12944/16]
View answer378. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on waiting lists under the housing aid for older people scheme, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12945/16]
View answer379. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on waiting lists under the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability scheme, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12946/16]
View answer380. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on waiting lists under the mobility aids grant scheme, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12947/16]
View answer381. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money allocated to each local authority, for the housing adaptation scheme, the housing aid for older people, the housing adaption grant for people with a disability, and the mobility aids grant scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12948/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 377 to 381, inclusive, together.
My Department provides funding to local authorities towards the cost of adaptations and extensions to their social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Funding is also provided to local authorities towards the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist older people and people with a disability to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out to private houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. This suite of grants includes the Housing Aid for Older People, the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant.
The detailed administration of these grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grants to applicants under the various measures, is the responsibility of the local authorities and my Department does not hold information in relation to waiting lists.
The funding allocated to each local authority in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, encompassing the Housing Aid for Older People, the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/grantsfinancial-assistance/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-eu5625-million-improve-homes.
382. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the improvements in legislation he plans to make to improve planning regulations and standards to protect private homeowners from the building of sub-standard accommodation and to ensure homes built comply with all fire safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12949/16]
View answerThe Building Regulations 1997 to 2014 set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings and are divided in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M). Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each of the parts and provide guidance indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice. These TGDs can be freely accessed on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/housing/building-standards/tgd-part-d-materials-and-workmanship/technical-guidance-documents.
Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulation(s). Compliance with the Regulations is the responsibility of the owner or builder of a building or works while enforcement is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities.
In response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
Statutory certificates of compliance, where relevant, must be given at commencement (design only) and completion and must be signed by a registered construction profession (i.e. an Architect or a Building Surveyor or a chartered Engineer who is included on a statutory register maintained respectively by the Royal Institution of Architects of Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland or Engineers Ireland). The statutory certificate of compliance on completion must also be signed by the builder.
In effect, the statutory Certificate of Compliance on Completion certifies that a building is compliant with all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations, including the fire safety requirements set out in Part B and the accompanying technical guidance.
The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 were reviewed following their first 12 months in operation. It is clear from this review that the recent reforms have brought a new order and discipline to bear on construction projects. In this regard, I am confident that as the transition to the new arrangements for the control of building activity continues to progress, these reforms will in time prove capable of transforming the culture of the construction industry in Ireland to one of improved compliance and quality.
Complementary to the above , Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been established as a voluntary register of builders, contractors and specialist trade persons by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Under Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, the Government has signalled its commitment to placing the register on a statutory footing. This is seen as an additional essential consumer protection measure giving consumers who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. Legislative proposals in this regard are currently being prepared by my Department with a view to their being presented to Government for consideration in the near future.
These measures taken together will foster a greater emphasis on competence, professionalism and quality in our construction industry into the future thereby ensuring that homeowners and clients can rely on getting the high quality homes and buildings they expect and deserve.
383. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent by local authorities from 2011 to 2016 to date on purchasing properties from the private sector for social housing, by local authority and by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12950/16]
View answerThe following table sets out the funding provided by my Department to local authorities for the acquisition of new and previously owned housing and apartments for use as social housing units from 2011 to date. This includes direct purchases, purchases under Part V arrangements and the delivery of turnkey projects. Some local authorities also fund acquisitions from their own resources such as local property tax receipts and that spending is not reflected in the table. In relation to 2016, while not all local authorities have drawn down funding from my Department up to this point, all are pursuing the acquisition of new and previously owned housing and apartments.
|
Local Authority |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Carlow County Council |
€498,274.00 |
€1,417,296.00 |
€333,020.00 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€269,909.00 |
€968,282.00 |
€1,657,040.00 |
|
Clare County Council |
€168,418.00 |
€139,282.00 |
€228,567.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
€660,573.00 |
€4,841,080.00 |
€655,688.00 |
|
Cork City Council |
€645,902.00 |
€997,019.00 |
€1,025,150.00 |
|
DunLaoghaire/Rathdown Co Co |
€1,089,581.00 |
€9,744,000.00 |
€647,546.00 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€4,524,056.00 |
€1,395,450.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€5,681,489.00 |
€6,818,820.00 |
€3,996,055.00 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€1,013,173.00 |
€2,822,446.00 |
€4,879,433.00 |
|
Galway County Council |
€248,675.00 |
€1,073,817.00 |
€2,090,511.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
€479,108.00 |
€1,572,124.00 |
€543,450.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€507,175.00 |
€969,363.00 |
€913,507.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€1,285,501.00 |
€2,619,529.00 |
€363,599.00 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€1,931,225.00 |
€5,455,349.00 |
€1,718,701.00 |
|
Laois County Council |
€1,112,314.00 |
€1,535,781.00 |
€377,819.00 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€836,045.00 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€1,491,862.00 |
€1,741,852.00 |
€1,861,988.00 |
|
Longford County Council |
€432,322.00 |
€1,116,451.00 |
€174,265.00 |
|
Louth County Council |
€847,195.00 |
€6,709,438.00 |
€1,210,044.00 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€247,880.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
€946,299.00 |
€2,055,475.00 |
€1,108,331.00 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€1,054,219.00 |
€843,465.00 |
€925,676.00 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€475,614.00 |
€1,635,638.00 |
€499,060.00 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€609,363.00 |
€743,735.00 |
€501,901.00 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€1,069,497.00 |
€1,717,870.00 |
€710,765.00 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€551,878.00 |
€1,713,820.00 |
€722,040.00 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€2,766,886.00 |
€1,486,713.00 |
€966,785.00 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
€205,331.00 |
€4,889,800.00 |
€1,573,953.00 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€248,000.00 |
€695,887.00 |
€430,970.00 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€822,172.00 |
€1,740,297.00 |
€713,546.00 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€130,000.00 |
€866,505.00 |
€720,615.00 |
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 to date |
|
|
Carlow County Council |
€1,036,537.00 |
€929,075.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€787,148.00 |
€835,739.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Clare County Council |
€328,820.00 |
€2,189,831.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
€611,030.00 |
€1,986,691.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Cork City Council |
€0.00 |
€18,980,853.00 |
€0.00 |
|
DunLaoghaire/Rathdown Co Co |
€0.00 |
€425,474.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€1,819,421.00 |
€1,944,766.00 |
€387,426.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€6,411,860.50 |
€11,249,798.75 |
€0.00 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€5,515,564.00 |
€17,948,978.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Galway County Council |
€2,060,000.00 |
€570,198.00 |
€821,615.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
€0.00 |
€730,676.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€880,513.00 |
€4,117,222.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€2,676,716.00 |
€11,259,500.00 |
€6,072,968.00 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€938,285.00 |
€3,452,059.40 |
€0.00 |
|
Laois County Council |
€2,014,367.00 |
€3,014,346.00 |
€118,193.00 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€67,257.00 |
€218,890.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€209,051.75 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Longford County Council |
€288,768.00 |
€97,942.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Louth County Council |
€1,690,970.00 |
€3,910,326.00 |
€1,090,617.50 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€171,700.00 |
€796,646.00 |
€657,617.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
€1,559,425.00 |
€4,227,836.00 |
€1,180,048.20 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€714,560.00 |
€1,038,308.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€906,044.00 |
€840,426.00 |
€23,994.00 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€0.00 |
€562,638.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€2,498,236.00 |
€2,520,968.00 |
€239,871.00 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€1,223,564.00 |
€5,803,070.00 |
€70,804.00 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
€1,084,471.06 |
€476,920.00 |
€295,000.00 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€323,606.00 |
€403,323.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€1,216,178.00 |
€1,703,856.50 |
€0.00 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€618,075.00 |
€2,038,393.19 |
€0.00 |
384. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of emission allowances (pollution permits) which have been issued here since 2008; the percentage of those that were free of cost; the percentage of those that were auctioned; the current total value of all emission allowances (pollution permits) here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/16]
View answer385. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the State compensates companies for direct or indirect costs of the emissions trading scheme; if so, the total value of this compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/16]
View answer386. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the State provides Emission Allowances (Pollution Permits) free of charge, for coal-fired power stations; if so, the total value of these permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13132/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together.
The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme is one of the key policy measures used by the EU to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. Emissions Trading is a “Cap and Trade” scheme whereby an EU wide limit or cap is set for participating installations. The cap is reduced over time so that total emissions are reduced. Within that limit “allowances” for emissions are auctioned or allocated for free. Individual installations must report their CO2 emissions each year and surrender sufficient allowances to cover their emissions. If their available allowances are exceeded an installation must purchase allowances. If an installation has succeeded in reducing its emissions, it can sell its leftover allowances or keep these for a later period.
The ETS system is designed to bring about reductions in emissions at least cost, and to date has played an increasingly important role in assisting European industry implement the type of reductions envisaged in the EU Commission’s limit of at least an overall 20 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 2020. The Scheme came into being in 2005, with Phase One introduced as a three-year pilot which ran until 2007. Phase Two operated between 2008 and 2012, and Phase Three from 2013 until 2020. A proposal for Phase Four, which will run from 2021 to 2030, was made by the European Commission in July 2015 and is currently being debated in the relevant committees and working parties of the European Parliament and Council. Under Phases One and Two, all installations were entitled to some free allocation based on historical emissions. The methodology is described in the National Allocation Plan as approved by Irish Government and the EU Commission.
Under Phase Three, there is no free allocation to the Power generating sector (except in ten of the newer Member States). Free allocation to industries (and aircraft operators) is on the basis of EU- wide rules and benchmarks. Verified production/activity data gathered by EPA from the installations and aircraft operators is forwarded to the EU Commission as the basis of the free allocation application from operators of installations and aircraft. The Commission approve a National Allocation Table and any amendments made to it subsequently as a result of closures, significant reductions in capacity or new entrant applications. The current National Allocation Table is available on the EPA website at: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/air/climatechange/phase/currentnat.html.
In relation to the number of Emission Allowances issued since 2008, allowances were auctioned under Phase One to cover administration costs, including a final auction in March 2008 of the left over allowances from installation closures and unused new entrant reserve allowances. Allowances from the pilot phase could not be used in subsequent phases of the ETS.
For Phase Two, the Government decision of 10 April 2006 stated that up to a maximum of 0.5% of the total allowances might be sold to defray the costs of administering the emissions trading scheme. The total amount of allowances sold in Phase Two was 575,000. These sales were administered by the National Treasury Management Agency.
Under Phase Three, allowances are auctioned on a Common Auction Platform co-ordinated by the Commission and run by EEX in Germany. Ireland has a share of allowances to be auctioned and revenue beyond that required for the administration of the scheme is returned to the National Exchequer.
It should be noted that the Aviation sector entered the ETS in 2010 in terms of reporting, but obligations in relation to surrendering allowances commenced in 2012.
In terms of the monetary value of Allowances, it is difficult to place a precise value on the numbers of units held in Ireland at any particular moment in time as the owners of these units can trade them on international markets, and as such the total volume of units fluctuates, as does the price per unit.
387. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide details for each local authority and approved housing body, of the number of completed mortgage-to-rent transactions to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13148/16]
View answerThere are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes funded by my Department. A scheme exists whereby a local authority (LA) can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant (LA- Mortgage-to- Rent). The other scheme provides for an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to acquire ownership of a property with an unsustainable private mortgage, which also enables the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant (AHB- Mortgage-to- Rent). Both schemes assist families with income difficulties whose mortgages are unsustainable, and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. Both schemes are part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process.
Information in relation to LA-Mortgage-to- Rent scheme transactions during its pilot phase in Dublin City Council and Westmeath County Council in 2013 and annual transactions, broken down by local authority, following national roll out of the scheme in 2014 is available on my Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity
To date in 2016, my Department has funded a further 3 transactions in the Dublin City Council area. The deadline for the next tranche of funding claims from local authorities is 31 July 2016 and my Department expects to receive further claims.
In relation to activity under the AHB Mortgage to Rent scheme, at the end of April 2016 a total of 162 cases have been completed,18 are currently with the lenders who are seeking the consent of borrowers to share information and for the carrying out of an independent valuation, and 645 are actively being progressed. The following tables give the breakdown by Local Authority and by AHB.
Table 1
Mortgage to Rent by Local Authority Area ( AHB MTR) to end April 2016
|
Organisation |
Number of Completed Cases |
|
Carlow County Council |
5 |
|
Cavan County Council |
3 |
|
Clare County Council |
3 |
|
Cork City Council |
6 |
|
Cork County Council |
4 |
|
Donegal County Council |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
25 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
1 |
|
Fingal County Council |
13 |
|
Galway City Council |
1 |
|
Galway County Council |
2 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2 |
|
Kildare County Council |
8 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
6 |
|
Laois County Council |
3 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
6 |
|
Longford County Council |
1 |
|
Louth County Council |
16 |
|
Mayo County Council |
|
|
Meath County Council |
15 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
|
Offaly County Council |
5 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
|
|
Sligo County Council |
|
|
South Dublin County Council |
11 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
7 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
10 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2 |
|
Wexford County Council |
2 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
4 |
|
162 |
Table 2
Mortgage to Rent by Approved Housing Body ( AHB MTR) to end April 2016
|
AHB_Name |
Number of completed cases |
|
Clúid Housing Association |
106 |
|
North and East Housing Association |
4 |
|
Oaklee Housing Trust |
36 |
|
Respond! Housing Association |
1 |
|
Tintean |
1 |
|
Túath Housing Association |
14 |
|
162 |
388. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for clarification on charges for recyclable and non-recyclable domestic waste coming into effect on 1 July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13175/16]
View answerGovernment waste policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in the EU’s Waste Framework Directive. A number of specific measures have been, and will continue to be, introduced to reduce the amount of waste generated in the State and to increase the segregation of waste which cannot be prevented in line with Government policy. The introduction of pay-by-weight charges for the collection of household waste is one such measure.
The legislation requires that the collector will charge for each kilogramme of waste collected. The Government has set a minimum mandatory fee per kilogramme for the different types of household waste: 11c for black bin (residual waste), 6c for brown bin (food/organic waste) and I have decided that a zero cent minimum fee per kilogramme should be set for green bins (recyclate). The collector may also charge a service fee, which will typically cover staff, collection, administrative and back office, capital and overhead costs.
As is now the case, it will be a matter for the collector to set charges at the level they consider to be competitive from 1 July 2016, in compliance with the requirements of the legislation.
389. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) who is on Cork County Council's housing list for the past seven years can transfer to Tipperary County Council housing list and maintain his or her status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13198/16]
View answerUnder the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, a household may apply to one housing authority only, for social housing support, at a time. Furthermore, it is not possible for a household on the waiting list of one housing authority to transfer its application to another authority and to carry the time spent on the previous list.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to examine the possibility of introducing a “housing passport”. The basic premise is that households in receipt of, or qualified for social housing support in one local authority area could potentially transfer to, or be allocated, social housing in another local authority area.
The “housing passport” proposal has been examined on an initial basis and my Department has sought information from local authorities on the potential for them to accommodate households from other local authority areas. Given the pressures on each local authority to accommodate households on their own social housing list, local authorities have reported no spare capacity at this time. However, the “housing passport” approach is being considered in the context of the local authorities that are operating the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), where there may be some capacity in private rental markets to accommodate households from other local authority areas.
390. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how much funding allocated to local authorities in 2014 and 2015 for Traveller housing was not recouped and sent back to his the Department. [13200/16]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The first three TAPs covered the periods 2000 - 2004, 2005 – 2008 and 2009 – 2013. Local authorities adopted the fourth and current round of TAPs in April 2014, with the five-year rolling programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for Traveller accommodation. Local authorities submit proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments, which are assessed on a case-by-case basis in my Department in advance of allocations being made.
The capital allocations and amounts recouped in respect of Traveller-specific accommodation for the years 2014 and 2015 are set out in the following table. Local authorities are requested to submit quarterly profiles of expenditure to my Department and these are closely monitored against actual expenditure. If, during the year, a difficulty is identified in drawing down the funding allocated for a particular scheme, it will be allocated to another scheme. A provision of €5.5m for Traveller-specific accommodation is in place for 2016, an increase of €1.2m on the 2015 allocation.
|
Traveller-specific Capital Funding |
2014 € |
2015 € |
|
Total Allocation |
3,000,000 |
4,300,000 |
|
Total Recouped |
3,163,688 |
4,074,631 |
391. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure there is a permanent location available for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/16]
View answerThe Government Order designating the Poolbeg West area as Strategic Development Zone, with Dublin City Council as the relevant development agency pursuant to the provisions of Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) provides for, inter alia, the provision of educational facilities.
A planning scheme must now be prepared and adopted by Dublin City Council within the next two years setting out the planned development of the designated lands. The precise location and nature of educational facilities to be provided will be a matter for the Minister for Education and Dublin City Council. However, a decision by a planning authority approving a planning scheme may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. The requirements are set out in Sections 168 and 169 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
It is my view that the site designated as SDZ in Poolbeg will have a beneficial and positive impact for the city. I expect the site to provide for the delivery of residential and commercial economic development, with supporting infrastructure and facilities, including school places, in a timely, sustainable and co-ordinated manner.
392. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the negative international attention the current dog control measures which place restrictions on dog breeds, that is, the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations, has received; if he will perform a review of current regulations and seek the advice of experts in this field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13372/16]
View answerI am aware of the matter referred to in the Question. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986, set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. In particular, section 9 of the 1986 Act requires the owner or any other person in charge of a dog to accompany it and keep it under effectual control in any place other than the premises of the owner, the premises of the person in control of the dog, or other premises with the consent of the owner of the premises. Section 21 of the 1986 Act provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog; it is not necessary for the person seeking damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.
In addition to the foregoing, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs have to follow, namely that such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place. The specific control requirements for these restricted breeds are a balanced and workable arrangement which recognises the rights of dog owners, respects animal welfare to the extent possible, while also taking account of the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury, or cause death.
The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 & 1992 and subsequent regulations also refer to the licencing and control of dogs. My Department has also progressed the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 which commenced on the 1 January 2012. This has put in place appropriate controls for the breeding of dogs.
In my previous role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I announced legislation for compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs on 20 February 2015. The dog micro-chipping programme was rolled out on a phased basis, beginning with pups in September 2015 and was expanded to all dogs in March 2016.
I am satisfied that the restrictions under the current legislative framework provide the necessary controls for the protection of society and, therefore, I have no plans to amend the legislation in respect of these matters. I also understand that Veterinary Ireland is undertaking an in-depth policy review at present, which includes, inter alia, an examination of the effectiveness of the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998.
393. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vehicles registered and the total of sums paid in motor tax for school buses, youth or community buses and other buses in each county or local authority area for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13373/16]
View answerThe numbers of buses taxed in each licensing authority area and the corresponding tax revenue, including arrears, is set out for the years 2011 to 2015.
Private buses are taxed on the basis of engine capacity. Rates for vehicles taxed on this basis range from €199 to €1,809 annually. The annual tax rates for large public service vehicles and youth and community buses are €154 for buses of between 9 and 20 seats, €202 for buses with 21 to 40 seats, and €403 for buses with 41 seats or more. There is a single annual rate of €95 for school buses.
2015
|
No. of private buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of large public service vehicles |
Tax take (€) |
No. of School buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of Youth and Community buses |
Tax take (€) |
|
|
Carlow |
12 |
7,931 |
118 |
27,576 |
20 |
1,909 |
11 |
2,001 |
|
Cavan |
26 |
70,451 |
174 |
37,396 |
1 |
95 |
12 |
1,881 |
|
Clare |
63 |
51,034 |
196 |
42,208 |
14 |
1,472 |
12 |
1,863 |
|
Cork |
227 |
192,053 |
896 |
238,138 |
38 |
3,932 |
53 |
8,154 |
|
Donegal |
90 |
70,111 |
557 |
125,898 |
26 |
2,686 |
22 |
3,291 |
|
Dublin |
361 |
324,996 |
2,660 |
925,338 |
489 |
47,131 |
299 |
51,600 |
|
Galway |
162 |
125,740 |
528 |
139,071 |
25 |
2,458 |
63 |
11,720 |
|
Kerry |
104 |
83,365 |
484 |
113,470 |
3 |
304 |
10 |
1,682 |
|
Kildare |
111 |
94,711 |
434 |
122,056 |
16 |
1,643 |
24 |
3,849 |
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
33,234 |
298 |
86,171 |
5 |
484 |
11 |
1,912 |
|
Laois |
36 |
24,488 |
174 |
40,617 |
17 |
1,810 |
8 |
1,169 |
|
Leitrim |
13 |
10,187 |
92 |
18,156 |
6 |
617 |
4 |
787 |
|
Limerick City & County |
58 |
48,924 |
288 |
67,945 |
14 |
1,339 |
68 |
11,828 |
|
Longford |
17 |
10,187 |
94 |
23,508 |
4 |
456 |
6 |
901 |
|
Louth |
32 |
26,078 |
192 |
51,160 |
6 |
589 |
7 |
1,238 |
|
Mayo |
82 |
74,982 |
315 |
68,320 |
1 |
95 |
40 |
6,577 |
|
Meath |
96 |
80,588 |
349 |
78,794 |
6 |
673 |
20 |
3,294 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
20,088 |
198 |
53,387 |
2 |
218 |
10 |
1,649 |
|
Offaly |
33 |
23,022 |
194 |
43,043 |
30 |
2,972 |
9 |
1,364 |
|
Roscommon |
40 |
34,481 |
115 |
24,533 |
1 |
133 |
21 |
3,466 |
|
Sligo |
38 |
29,596 |
106 |
21,745 |
1 |
95 |
31 |
5,021 |
|
Tipperary |
92 |
78,118 |
347 |
75,476 |
13 |
1,291 |
31 |
5,003 |
|
Waterford City & County |
55 |
47,234 |
128 |
30,681 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
4,201 |
|
Westmeath |
53 |
39,124 |
140 |
33,832 |
17 |
2,075 |
4 |
520 |
|
Wexford |
76 |
63,308 |
275 |
63,635 |
7 |
626 |
24 |
4,072 |
|
Wicklow |
50 |
38,864 |
221 |
51,374 |
2 |
218 |
13 |
2,335 |
|
Total |
1,989 |
1,652,895 |
9,573 |
2,603,528 |
764 |
75,321 |
837 |
141,378 |
2014
|
No. of private buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of large public service vehicles |
Tax take (€) |
No. of School buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of Youth and Community buses |
Tax take (€) |
|
|
Carlow |
14 |
9,853 |
105 |
21,788 |
28 |
2,735 |
10 |
1,540 |
|
Cavan |
27 |
22,905 |
176 |
37,527 |
1 |
95 |
12 |
1,867 |
|
Clare |
59 |
48,140 |
202 |
44,272 |
17 |
1,718 |
14 |
2,433 |
|
Cork |
225 |
187,408 |
851 |
221,357 |
41 |
3,913 |
57 |
9,784 |
|
Donegal |
96 |
80,614 |
546 |
126,780 |
42 |
4,036 |
23 |
4,003 |
|
Dublin |
367 |
316,792 |
2,491 |
868,288 |
501 |
48,551 |
291 |
49,761 |
|
Galway |
161 |
128,781 |
518 |
133,909 |
17 |
1,727 |
56 |
9,990 |
|
Kerry |
104 |
85,112 |
459 |
106,189 |
3 |
285 |
11 |
1,926 |
|
Kildare |
116 |
103,367 |
411 |
113,662 |
13 |
1,244 |
29 |
5,382 |
|
Kilkenny |
40 |
33,841 |
317 |
104,927 |
3 |
313 |
10 |
1,534 |
|
Laois |
33 |
29,237 |
148 |
33,013 |
19 |
1,954 |
7 |
1,156 |
|
Leitrim |
13 |
11,205 |
90 |
18,941 |
5 |
475 |
4 |
478 |
|
Limerick City & County |
52 |
41,916 |
282 |
65,418 |
12 |
1,158 |
69 |
12,404 |
|
Longford |
19 |
12,160 |
87 |
23,778 |
3 |
380 |
5 |
855 |
|
Louth |
36 |
28,463 |
182 |
45,223 |
7 |
712 |
6 |
1,110 |
|
Mayo |
77 |
71,999 |
312 |
65,989 |
1 |
95 |
38 |
6,468 |
|
Meath |
97 |
80,203 |
323 |
72,922 |
4 |
407 |
19 |
3,387 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
21,010 |
197 |
53,400 |
1 |
104 |
10 |
1,723 |
|
Offaly |
28 |
21,319 |
175 |
42,026 |
26 |
2,627 |
10 |
1,737 |
|
Roscommon |
57 |
53,326 |
113 |
22,927 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
3,689 |
|
Sligo |
35 |
25,827 |
107 |
21,051 |
2 |
199 |
28 |
4,418 |
|
Tipperary |
102 |
84,291 |
335 |
73,373 |
9 |
978 |
32 |
5,323 |
|
Waterford City & County |
54 |
44,545 |
133 |
32,733 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
4,957 |
|
Westmeath |
50 |
34,023 |
137 |
34,794 |
16 |
1,699 |
9 |
1,432 |
|
Wexford |
74 |
61,513 |
253 |
58,826 |
8 |
778 |
22 |
3,625 |
|
Wicklow |
56 |
47,109 |
207 |
50,695 |
3 |
285 |
10 |
2,089 |
|
Total |
2,015 |
1,684,959 |
9,157 |
2,493,808 |
782 |
76,468 |
827 |
143,071 |
2013
|
No. of private buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of large public service vehicles |
Tax take (€) |
No. of School buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of Youth and Community buses |
Tax take (€) |
|
|
Carlow |
19 |
12,665 |
94 |
21,321 |
29 |
2,837 |
11 |
1,622 |
|
Cavan |
24 |
17,569 |
166 |
34,875 |
1 |
95 |
11 |
1,767 |
|
Clare |
49 |
36,491 |
185 |
38,924 |
22 |
2,519 |
13 |
2,026 |
|
Cork |
218 |
178,683 |
824 |
214,577 |
46 |
4,502 |
70 |
11,289 |
|
Donegal |
97 |
75,944 |
540 |
119,500 |
70 |
6,776 |
19 |
2,852 |
|
Dublin |
368 |
309,153 |
2,422 |
840,633 |
517 |
49,644 |
265 |
43,654 |
|
Galway |
154 |
113,978 |
502 |
130,361 |
18 |
1,772 |
60 |
10,350 |
|
Kerry |
98 |
79,218 |
444 |
100,954 |
3 |
285 |
13 |
2,299 |
|
Kildare |
103 |
84,043 |
366 |
93,200 |
13 |
1,270 |
24 |
4,149 |
|
Kilkenny |
31 |
23,574 |
324 |
92,438 |
3 |
339 |
9 |
1,466 |
|
Laois |
29 |
22,624 |
152 |
31,987 |
25 |
2,526 |
7 |
1,262 |
|
Leitrim |
12 |
8,486 |
91 |
17,305 |
7 |
672 |
4 |
616 |
|
Limerick City |
18 |
12,659 |
49 |
14,967 |
2 |
190 |
22 |
3,473 |
|
Limerick County |
52 |
35,904 |
227 |
51,340 |
9 |
855 |
37 |
6,213 |
|
Longford |
18 |
14,282 |
82 |
19,714 |
4 |
380 |
6 |
903 |
|
Louth |
41 |
27,040 |
166 |
38,967 |
7 |
672 |
10 |
1,689 |
|
Mayo |
80 |
64,652 |
305 |
63,006 |
2 |
190 |
28 |
4,726 |
|
Meath |
106 |
72,324 |
293 |
63,073 |
8 |
769 |
21 |
3,347 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
22,569 |
185 |
48,168 |
1 |
95 |
11 |
1,764 |
|
Offaly |
24 |
17,881 |
177 |
38,873 |
26 |
2,517 |
8 |
1,275 |
|
Roscommon |
63 |
51,963 |
106 |
18,968 |
2 |
190 |
22 |
3,499 |
|
Sligo |
38 |
25,124 |
111 |
22,173 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
3,832 |
|
Tipperary North |
45 |
32,020 |
131 |
26,576 |
3 |
285 |
8 |
1,293 |
|
Tipperary South |
44 |
35,496 |
180 |
37,181 |
3 |
285 |
25 |
3,808 |
|
Waterford City |
14 |
10,242 |
29 |
7,454 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
3,517 |
|
Waterford County |
40 |
31,062 |
98 |
19,742 |
1 |
95 |
5 |
770 |
|
Westmeath |
45 |
34,261 |
125 |
26,955 |
23 |
2,282 |
10 |
1,447 |
|
Wexford |
69 |
49,406 |
233 |
51,737 |
8 |
778 |
26 |
4,047 |
|
Wicklow |
53 |
42,762 |
199 |
46,369 |
3 |
292 |
11 |
1,955 |
|
Total |
1,975 |
1,542,075 |
8,806 |
2,331,338 |
856 |
83,112 |
798 |
130,910 |
2012
|
No. of private buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of large public service vehicles |
Tax take (€) |
No. of School buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of Youth and Community buses |
Tax take (€) |
|
|
Carlow |
17 |
12,221 |
90 |
17,397 |
29 |
2,560 |
11 |
1,632 |
|
Cavan |
32 |
22,149 |
163 |
33,148 |
2 |
94 |
10 |
1,584 |
|
Clare |
50 |
33,845 |
185 |
35,406 |
21 |
1,889 |
12 |
1,815 |
|
Cork |
216 |
164,668 |
811 |
194,664 |
28 |
2,559 |
106 |
16,281 |
|
Donegal |
96 |
73,117 |
529 |
107,176 |
73 |
6,525 |
18 |
2,744 |
|
Dublin |
374 |
321,660 |
2,481 |
798,076 |
543 |
48,491 |
257 |
39,204 |
|
Galway |
160 |
110,824 |
462 |
107,156 |
19 |
1,719 |
62 |
9,916 |
|
Kerry |
97 |
70,068 |
418 |
87,530 |
4 |
360 |
10 |
1,533 |
|
Kildare |
110 |
89,776 |
356 |
82,778 |
7 |
623 |
25 |
3,968 |
|
Kilkenny |
30 |
21,702 |
298 |
81,957 |
3 |
272 |
8 |
1,260 |
|
Laois |
25 |
16,559 |
149 |
28,543 |
24 |
2,112 |
6 |
800 |
|
Leitrim |
9 |
5,077 |
89 |
15,791 |
6 |
536 |
4 |
666 |
|
Limerick City |
15 |
9,558 |
48 |
11,393 |
2 |
176 |
25 |
3,903 |
|
Limerick County |
55 |
42,565 |
233 |
46,933 |
8 |
718 |
31 |
5,185 |
|
Longford |
16 |
11,605 |
76 |
17,242 |
3 |
264 |
5 |
771 |
|
Louth |
29 |
21,851 |
144 |
31,319 |
5 |
447 |
7 |
1,069 |
|
Mayo |
75 |
53,265 |
310 |
58,079 |
2 |
176 |
27 |
4,130 |
|
Meath |
95 |
66,275 |
271 |
53,387 |
5 |
440 |
20 |
4,202 |
|
Monaghan |
27 |
20,422 |
186 |
44,839 |
2 |
176 |
9 |
1,350 |
|
Offaly |
23 |
17,438 |
169 |
34,621 |
20 |
1,799 |
8 |
1,309 |
|
Roscommon |
60 |
52,625 |
100 |
16,092 |
1 |
88 |
20 |
3,133 |
|
Sligo |
40 |
28,470 |
107 |
19,447 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
4,095 |
|
Tipperary North |
41 |
26,967 |
131 |
26,072 |
4 |
352 |
10 |
1,562 |
|
Tipperary South |
43 |
34,559 |
176 |
33,931 |
3 |
264 |
24 |
3,470 |
|
Waterford City |
20 |
11,862 |
27 |
5,969 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
3,695 |
|
Waterford County |
34 |
27,739 |
95 |
17,599 |
1 |
88 |
5 |
715 |
|
Westmeath |
46 |
27,195 |
133 |
27,518 |
24 |
2,206 |
7 |
937 |
|
Wexford |
63 |
46,600 |
223 |
45,139 |
10 |
929 |
26 |
3,834 |
|
Wicklow |
52 |
42,011 |
188 |
40,101 |
2 |
176 |
11 |
1,833 |
|
Total |
1,950 |
1,482,673 |
8,648 |
2,119,303 |
851 |
76,039 |
812 |
126,596 |
2011
|
No. of private buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of large public service vehicles |
Tax take (€) |
No. of School buses |
Tax take (€) |
No. of Youth and Community buses |
Tax take (€) |
|
|
Carlow |
17 |
11,714 |
90 |
16,163 |
27 |
2,222 |
11 |
1,891 |
|
Cavan |
30 |
21,085 |
170 |
31,344 |
2 |
164 |
14 |
1,768 |
|
Clare |
52 |
37,924 |
193 |
33,080 |
32 |
3,129 |
12 |
1,635 |
|
Cork |
200 |
137,113 |
827 |
188,399 |
38 |
3,152 |
107 |
14,871 |
|
Donegal |
104 |
75,426 |
555 |
109,685 |
77 |
6,508 |
10 |
1,622 |
|
Dublin |
417 |
298,182 |
2,407 |
722,416 |
526 |
44,239 |
268 |
37,772 |
|
Galway |
169 |
115,156 |
447 |
98,158 |
20 |
1,730 |
62 |
8,901 |
|
Kerry |
102 |
72,182 |
409 |
80,860 |
5 |
426 |
6 |
887 |
|
Kildare |
110 |
79,037 |
326 |
66,593 |
8 |
678 |
26 |
3,750 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
17,516 |
287 |
72,886 |
2 |
164 |
12 |
1,867 |
|
Laois |
26 |
16,766 |
142 |
25,245 |
17 |
1,418 |
7 |
967 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
5,877 |
91 |
14,401 |
7 |
574 |
6 |
633 |
|
Limerick City |
13 |
7,966 |
49 |
11,159 |
1 |
82 |
21 |
3,433 |
|
Limerick County |
64 |
43,174 |
245 |
47,370 |
7 |
622 |
29 |
4,410 |
|
Longford |
18 |
10,975 |
81 |
17,497 |
3 |
270 |
3 |
454 |
|
Louth |
38 |
23,564 |
151 |
31,228 |
3 |
246 |
7 |
1,080 |
|
Mayo |
67 |
49,737 |
320 |
56,423 |
2 |
164 |
31 |
4,141 |
|
Meath |
92 |
62,306 |
279 |
52,502 |
3 |
246 |
18 |
2,476 |
|
Monaghan |
28 |
20,851 |
174 |
39,343 |
4 |
336 |
10 |
1,703 |
|
Offaly |
28 |
19,353 |
179 |
35,425 |
8 |
664 |
7 |
944 |
|
Roscommon |
53 |
37,970 |
93 |
14,378 |
2 |
164 |
22 |
3,158 |
|
Sligo |
37 |
26,063 |
115 |
18,745 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
3,998 |
|
Tipperary North |
42 |
24,717 |
133 |
22,711 |
4 |
328 |
11 |
1,393 |
|
Tipperary South |
43 |
32,550 |
170 |
31,209 |
2 |
164 |
26 |
3,585 |
|
Waterford City |
32 |
16,452 |
28 |
6,304 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
2,801 |
|
Waterford County |
33 |
23,626 |
94 |
17,130 |
1 |
82 |
11 |
1,565 |
|
Westmeath |
39 |
26,850 |
118 |
24,145 |
28 |
2,499 |
10 |
1,383 |
|
Wexford |
68 |
52,175 |
227 |
42,468 |
6 |
492 |
24 |
3,424 |
|
Wicklow |
48 |
32,784 |
198 |
39,504 |
2 |
164 |
13 |
1,917 |
|
Total |
2,006 |
1,399,091 |
8,598 |
1,966,771 |
837 |
70,927 |
826 |
118,429 |
394. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that a company (details supplied) will now only accept payment of invoices for bin charges through an online billing system for e-tags, putting persons without access to the Internet at a major disadvantage, given the company's discontinuation of paper tags; and if he will investigate the consumer protection implications of this. [13433/16]
View answerThe matter of how any company, including a waste collection company, accepts payment for the services that it provides is primarily a consumer protection issue and does not therefore fall within the my remit.
